READING FC were this morning still keeping quiet on the sacking of assistant boss Martin Allen.

READING FC were this morning still keeping quiet on the sacking of assistant boss Martin Allen.

No explanation has yet been given by anyone at Madejski Stadium and the club would only say that "Martin Allen is at home on leave and in his absence reserve team/under-19 coach Kevin Dillon has stepped up to assist Alan Pardew."

I understand both parties are unable to discuss the matter as Allen still has 2½ years left on his contract and an agreement over compensation has not been agreed.

Allen met board members yesterday morning, but until they come to a mutual agreement then the official line is that he is on leave.

Dillon has already stepped into the breach and he took a coaching session alongside Pardew yesterday.

The former Birmingham, Portsmouth and Newcastle star, who also made 119 appearances for Royals, said: "I am assistant to Alan Pardew for the time being and we will have to see how it goes.

"I will be on the bench tomorrow against Northampton. It is a real opportunity for me, one I've been waiting for for a long time.

"I was disappointed when Tommy Burns left and I wasn't involved in the first team, but I soon got over that.

"When Alan took over I kept my job and have since been promoted to the reserves and this is naturally the next step.

"I know the first team players and I sat down with Pards yesterday and he explained what he wanted from me.

"I will be working on free kicks and corners and organising other set plays today and I have a few up my sleeve."